1943 Pattern shirt

Scarce large size 1943 Pattern British Army shirt with attached collar.

Mid WW2 following comments about the smartness of US GI's in their jackets and collars and ties the War Department agreed to allow a collared shirt and tie for wear by British Army Other Ranks below WO. Originally it was to be worn for walking out but they are in evidence in the field by Normandy 1944.

In order to keep costs to a minimum the collarless shirt then in production was modified to have an attached collar. Some examples exist of Collarless shirts which have a collar added, and we have even seen a cotton, revolting green colour shirt worn by a Bombardier in the 51st Highland Div.

This example is in VGC, no moth or damage, dated 1945 and unusually a good large size; size 8 (collar size 17", chest 44" approx). Label is clear (see photos), also for a 'shirt hairy' it is actually relatively soft, although we do say 'relatively'!